Project Number: 2022-1EL01-KA220-VET-000088384
Climate change is a pressing issue that confronts modern society. Limiting the rise in global temperatures requires changes in consumption and production patterns, as well as behavioral changes. Actions on several fronts will be necessary to transition to a greener economy and society and there is a universal opinion that at the moment our pace of action is too slow.
Investing in green transition can help job creation and boost the economy. As greener work practices and cleaner technologies are implemented, many current employments are changing. On the other hand, when societies move away from polluting activities, some sectors, like the fossil fuel industry, may lose jobs. These changes in the labor market suggest that the skill sets required for those positions are changing as well. The term “skills for the green transition” refers to a broad category of technical and interdisciplinary abilities that drive and/or support the green transition.
Vocational Education and Training, through apprenticeships, has a key role to play in this respect. In particular, apprenticeships must take place in favorable, accommodating, and supportive learning environments at the company and system levels. According to CEDEFOP (2022), there are several enabling conditions:
- Solid skills intelligence
- Effective coordination among stakeholders
- Structured and frequent dialogue between training companies and VET providers
- Skilled trainers involved in apprenticeships
- Commitment of companies to sustainability and work-based learning
- Apprentices need to be able to reap the benefits of work-based learning
- High quality career guidance systems.
Overall, apprenticeship is a powerful tool for promoting lifelong learning and adaptability to change and its the design and implementation of apprenticeships must be guided by high-quality intelligence on skills needs in order to maximize their beneficial effects on the green transition
Sources: Cedefop et al. (2022). Work-based learning and the green transition. Luxembourg: Publications Office
